Busted water well pump?

This past weekend when it got cold my heater went out in my pump house. Pump froze, cracked the cast head on it. The pump is only about 4 years old and cost me about $500 to put in then, thats a kick in the teeth I don't need this week. It runs good, sounds like nothing is hurt inside, and it will build pressure. Would I be p***'n in the wind to grind the crack down and patch it with JB Weld? Any other ideas?

I have county water to the house and just use the well for yard/cows/barn water.

Thanks

Dave

Whatcha got to lose???? Probably work though if you get it good and clean.

I have had this happen to my pump before also. I just ground mine out with a right angle grinder and used a torch and brazed the crack. Did not remove or dissassemble. Do not put any extra torch heat toward the motor end.

We used to have a big Jacuzzi jet pump that we used to clean the hog floor. It was mounted in a cellar under the smokehouse, and my father-in-law forgot (twice) to shut the door on a real cold night. I ground the edges down and welded it with stainless steel rod. Used it for a couple more years. Second time it froze, he bought a new one and put a spring on the door!

Paul

Does water come out the crack? Its probably the suction side no pressure on the break.

Dave,

My Dad was a pumpman for twenty some years before he died. I too worked pumps with him as a kid and then fulltime for twelve years until I went fulltime Active Guard and Reserve in 1983. We sold Meyers and Jacuzzi pumps and tried to keep spare parts on hand. For quickest turn times for dairies and feedlots, retaurants, etc we would even rob new pumps of their cases if need be. Much cheaper than another new pump and was the preferred method. Try your dealer for this option.
We used to save many cases though as the others have said by drilling and tapping the ends of the crack(s) for a quarter inch bolt, inserting the bolts, grinding down heads and veeing the crack out. Preheat the casting, flux well and braze with brass rod. Depending on your particular pump and the location of the crack it is probably better to dis-assemble the casing. Disa-assembly allows better access and handling and it also prevents melting the common plastic and rubber parts in newer pumps. Obviously due to some breaks extending through machined mating surfaces, some cracks were beyond repair.
We also sometimes used the same preparation with a two part epoxy then known as Cold Weld or Epcoweld. It was similar to some of the epoxys currently available.
PS Remember to clean any corrosion or other foreign matter from the case and fittings or you may have problems with FOD plugging your injector's venturi nozzle.

Good luck with it Don